Train order hoop holding means



'Dec. 13, 1932. w. L. WHITE TRAIN ORDER HOOP HOLDING MEANS Filed Sept. 18. 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 13, 1932. w. L. WHITE TRAIN ORDER HOOP HOLDING MEANS Filed Sept. 18, 1931' 3 sheets-sheet 2 Dec. 13, 1932. w. 1.. WHITE TRAIN ORDER HOOP HOLDING MEANS 3 Sheets-Shoot 3 Filed Sept. 18. 1931 19 the orders at proper elevation'for the respecofmechanical means for properly holding the 15 fore been customary, andtherefore eliminatlVith the present method of delivering orpurpose, will be positively released at the a hoop or loop for passage of an arm there- Patented Dec. 13, 1932 g r r tree STATES- PRATT oFFicE WILEY L-'WHITE, OF CALWA, CALIFORNIA TRAIN ORDER HOOP rrotnrno MEANS Application filed. September is, 1931. Serial No. 563,514.

My invention relates to means especially stantially on the line 55 of Figure 3 lookadapted for holding the usual train orders ing downward. H intended for the trainmen of a moving train Figure 6 is a sectional view takensubstanwhich is not intended to stop at the station tially on the line 66 of Figure 1. Where the orders are received by the station Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of 55 man to be delivered toasubsequently passing the holding devices with a portion of an train. 7 I order holder in place and portions of the My invention has for its object the pro supporting uprights. vision of means which will properly hold The object of my invention is the provision tive members of the train crew who are intrain order holding hoops at a railway statended to receive the orders; said means obtion so as to enable the train crew of a passviating the necessity of the station man maning train or locomotive to easily and safely ually delivering the orders, as has hereto} receive the hoops with the attached orders. ing the hazards attending such manual deders to a passing train, the orders or other livery. Y v V 7 Written communications to be delivered are My invention also involves means whereby attached to holders, usually of light wood the order holding hoops, employed for such construction, having one end in the form of proper moment when the arm of a member through, while the other end constitutes a of the train crew has .passed into the hoop handle to be held by the station man or party or loop portion of the order holder, thus who is to deliver the orders to thetrain crew. .ensuring delivery of the orders without the Atpresent, the station employee, while standnecessity of the train crew member assuming near the track on which the train is to ing a dangerous position in his effort to grasp pass, endeavors tohold the hoops at proper the holder. elevation and as near to the position of the The invention also involves means which intended member of the crew on the passing ensures theholders with the orders to remain train as possible, so as to enable the train in proper position relative to thedirection of crew member to catch his intended hoop; this train movement, as well as other objects and usually being done by holding his 'arm in advantages which will be readily compreposition so it will pass throughthe hoop or hended from the following detailed descriploop end of'the holder. The orders are then tion of the accompanying drawings, whereremoved from the holders and the holders i dropped to the ground or on the station plat- Figure l is a side elevation of my improved form where it is retrieved by the station emholder, with intermediatejportions broken ployee for further use. This practice, howway i ever, involves the hazard of personal injury Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same both to the station employee and to the receivwith similar portions broken away. ing member of the train crew. As thestation Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevation of employee is compelled to stand close to the one of the hoop holder elements, with porpassing train or locomotive, he is in danger tions of the supportinguprights. of being hit by lumps of coal or other objects Figure 4 is a side elevation of one of the which sometimes fall or are inadvertently elements, showing a section of the handle of thrown from the passing trains.

an order holding hoop in place; a portion of Then, too, the receiving member or memone or the supporting uprights being in secbers of the train crew are subject to injury tion; and a portion ofa corresponding elebecause of the poss blefailure of the station ment broken away. 7 p employee to relinquish his hold on the holder Figure 5 is a sectional view taken subat the proper instant,'or by losing his balance proved mechanical means of the uprights as a result of being compelled to lean too far outward in his attempt to catch the holder; or by having his arm or body striking a mail crane or other obstruction which of necessity must be located close to the track.

In the embodiment of the invention, I have illustrated my improved means adapted to deliver orders or other written communications to the crews of trains passing in opposite directions on adjacent tracks; it being understood that the various hoop holding elements are similar in construction and operation, so that specific description of one of said elements will suflice,

In the particular exemplification, my iminvolves suitable supporting members which are shown as preferably consisting of a pair of tubular uprights 15, 15, the lower ends whereof are shown embedded in a supporting base, preferably concrete as at 16 in Figure 1. These uprights are arranged in close parallel relation and disposed at a suitable distance from the tracks; the uprights being held in proper spaced relation by suitable tie straps which may be welded, or otherwise secured thereto, as shown at 17 These tubular uprights or columns are of a predetermined height so as to permit a suitable number of holding elements'to be secured thereto at prearranged distances above the track level and at suitable horizontal distances apart in keeping with the positions of the engine crew and the conductor to whom the orders or written communications are to be delivered.

In the particular exemplification, I have chosen to illustrate my invention hold and deliver orders to trains moving in osite directionson adjacent tracks, but it will be understood that where the orders are merely intended for trains moving in the same direction and on a single track, the holding elements disposed on one side of the uprights or columns may be omitted. As these holding elements are all similar in construction and opertaion, a detailed description of one of the elements will suflice.

The holding elements, which are indicated at 18, each consist of a body portion or casting 19 provided with the base plate 20 which p is intended to extend parallel with the sides 15, 15, while the body portion extends laterally therefrom in a horizontal osition.

This body portion is provided with a'pair of jaw members 21,21 arranged one above the other and hingedly secured as at 22 to the base portion, so as to permit the jaw members to move vertically toward and away from each other.

' These jaw members are normally forced toward each other by means of the springs 23, 23, which surround opposite ends of the bolt adapted to "tor bar 28 rearwardly against the springs 30.

24, which passes loosely through apertures in both jaws.

The outer ends of the jaws 21, 21 are provided with the arcuate projections 25, more clearly shown in Figure 4 in order to provide a holding or gripping surface for the handle of the order-holder 26. Any suitable gripping surface may be provided for firmly holding the holders in place against accidental shifting, while at the same time permitting easy insertion of the handle 26 of the holder 26.

Each jaw member is provided with a tapped hole to receive an adjustable screw 27. The screws 27 are intended to retain an ejector element or bar 28 in its retracted position shown 'in the drawings; the bar 28 being shown slightly enlarged at 29, 29, whereby the screws 27 engage therewith.

The ejector bar extends transversely between the jaws 21, 21, and each end of the bar is provided with a guide rod or pin 30, rigidly secured thereto and disposed through a suitable opening in the casting side portions 19 and base 20, see Figure 5. The guide rods or pins 30 are each surrounded by a coil spring 31, as shown in dotted lines Figure 5; the springs 31 being under compression and therefore tending to force the ejector bar 28 outwardly toward the free ends of the jaws.

It is apparent, therefore, that the ejector bar 28 is held under pressure against the side of the handle 26 of the order holder 26, see Figure a. The outward movement of the ejector elements is limited by the washer and cotter secured to the unattached end of each guide rod 30, as shown at 32 in Figure 5.

The body castings 19 are shown provided with the laterally disposed and parallelly arranged wings or extensions 33, 33, see Figures 3 and 5. These wings 33 are for the purpose of receiving a laterally disposed vane 34: secured to the holder handle 26, which prevents the holder rotating between the jaws and hence ensures the hoop portion 26 being held in the vertical manner illustrated in Figure 2 so as to be in position for passage of a forearm therethrough.

After the order or communication has been roperly secured to the respective holder 26, the station operator places the holder in position by inserting the handle 26 edgewisely between the jaw members 21, 21, with the hoop end 26 disposed toward the track. The arcuate portions 25 at the free ends of the jaws 21 permits the handle to be forced into place and causes the jaw members to move apart against the action of springs 23. The insertion of the holder handle forces the ejecaction of The bar 28 is free to move backwardly because the ends of the screws 27 will be moved out of the path of the 'bar by the extreme '45, tion of that track, while the devices 18 for the crew of a second train moving on a second track are disposed in the direction of moveopening of the jaws induced when the holder handle ispassing over the arcuate humps or projections on the jaw ends. The screws 27, however, are so adjusted that they will have slight holding contact with ejector bar 28 when the holder handle has been properly positioned between the jaws rearward of the raised arcuate portions 25, see Figure 4.

It is apparent that as soon as a slight pulling action is exerted on the order holder26, it will ride up on the arcuate raised portions 25 thereby causing the jaws 21, 21 to'move farther apart and as a result cause the screws 27 to move out of holding contact. with the ejector bar'2 8. As the bar 28 extends lengthwise of the handle 26 of the holder, the holder will be forcibly ejected throughthe action of the springs 31 on the ejector bar. With this construction, the order holder will beinstantly released and ejected as soon as the member of the train crew catches or eX- erts a slight pulling action on the holder; it being understood that the device is arranged with the free ends of the jaws disposed in the direction of movement of the train, so that the pulling effect on the holder is toward the 7 free ends of the jaws.

As the train conductor and each engine man of the train must receive a copy of every order addressed to the train, it is essential that at least two and sometimes three of the order holding devices must be arranged on the supporting uprights.

As the firing decks or gangways of a locomotive are usually in a considerably higher plane above the level of the track than the steps of the coaches or of the caboose, the holding devices 18 must be arranged at difierent levels'as shown in Figures 1 and 2; the" levels corresponding to the levels of the positions of the receiving members of the train crew. The holding devices 18 for the crew of a train moving in one direction are disposed laterally from the supporting uprights in the direcment of the train on said second track, as shown in Figure 1, where it is assumed that the tracks will extend parallel with the front and rear sides of the device as viewed in said figure.

As the holding devices 18, when in functioning position, will be considerably above the ground and in order to lnsert the d1iferent order holding hoops 26, the holding devices I are'slidably mounted on the uprights. To acfcomplish this, I provide a carriage 35 comnosedof two plates adapted to be slidably disposed on opposite sides of the uprights 15, 15

and united together'by the parallel members or plates 36, which may bewelded orotherwise suitablysecured to the first mentioned plates; the two uprights 15,115 as shown in Figure 5.' i

which are plates 36 extending between the The outer plates or members of the carriage 35 are apertured to receive the bolts 37, whereby the pair of holding devices 18 on opposite sides of the uprights are secured to the carriage 35; the bolts 37 passing between the spaced apart plates 36 as shown in Figure 5. r I

The intermediate and lower holding devices are similarly mounted on a similar carriage; and these carriages are secured together in proper vertically spaced relation by means of a tie bar or rod 38, thus causing all of the holding devices 18 to move in unison when desired. a r

The upper carriage 35 has a cable or chain secured to upper ends on both sides 'of the uprights 15, 15; and'these cables or chains 39 extend upwardly to the upper ends of the uprights 15, 15 and respectively pass over the pulleys 40, 40, which are'suitably mounted in the uprights; and each chain or cable 39 has its other end secured to a counterweight 41,

see Figure 4. The counterweights 41 are of a construction which permits them to freely slide upwardly and downwardly within the respective upright 15 see Figure 4. The pulleys 40 are supported by yokes or other means proper positioning of the pulley may be olotained to'insure free action of the carriages 35, the chains or cables and the weights.

The weights 41 are preferably made slightly lighter than the combined weights of carriages, tie bar or rod and the holding devices. so as to permit these elements to gradually slid-e downwardly when the carriage locking means is released.

The locking means, which may be of any suitable construction, is preferably attached to the lower carriage 35 which is shown provided with a lateralextension or ear at 42, see Figure 1, to which a suitable handoperated pawl 43 is pivotally secured. The pawl 43 is normally held in horizontal locking posi tion by a suitable spring as shown at 44, F ig-f ure 1; and one of the uprights 15 is provided with a vertical row of properly spaced holes as at 45 (see Figure 2) adapted to receive the inner end of the pawl 43 when the latter is in horizontal be returned by the'sprmg 44 when the operator releases his hold on the pawl. l Vhen the pawl end has enteredahole 45, the carriages with the holding devices 18' will be held against downward movement.

When the train is handled by one locomotive, merely thelupper and'l'ower holding devices 18 are employed; the intermediate holding device being more particularly employed where two locomotlves are used 1n adjustably mounted in order that position, to hi it Win rent conducting 'wires'leading from a'suit-" .to the required number the latching pawl 43, enablmg him to pull in prising supporting means order-holder holdable current supply and extending to a suitable, preferablyshielded lamp 47 secured to the upper end of the conduit 46.

The orders to be delivered are usually folded and placed by the station operator'between the staff or handle portion 26 and the free end of the looped portion 26 of the hoop 26 these portions being preferably held in close lapping clip as at 48 in Figure 2. In order to pre vent ingress of snow, rain and the like, into the uprights 15, 15 and to protect the pulleys, the uprights are preferably provided with a suitable closure member or cap as at 49.

The station operator, after having attached the respective copies of the order or orders of hoops, releases the carriages with the holding devices 18 downward into easy reach. He then inserts the order holding hoops in the respective holding devices 18 by pressing the hoop handles edgewisely between the jaws as previously described so as to have the loop-ed or hoop portion 26 of the holders disposed toward the track on which the train is ap-- proaching.

It will be understood that with the order holding hoops 26 arranged as shown in Figure 2, the train is presumed to come toward the device as viewed in Figure 2 so that the arms of the receiving members of the train crew will pass through the loops 26 toward v the front as viewed in this figure.

movement; and means are automatically ejected from said holding As soon as contact 1s made with the order holding hoop, it will slide up on the arcuate humps on the jaws, cause the later to separate, and thereby raise the beveled screws out of contact with the ejector bar, with the result that the entire hoop will be quick- 1y ejected from the holding means.

For the purpose of exemplitication of the invention, I have illustrated and described an accepted embodiment arranged to meet certain conditions in railroad practice, but it is apparent that modifications may be made; the invention having been described in terms employed for purposes of description and not as terms of limitation as modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of my invention.

WhatIclaim is: v I

1. Means of the character described comprising vertically disposed supporting means; order-holder holding means mounted on the supporting means and adapted to release the holders in the direction of train whereby the holders means.

2; In means of'the'character described,

order-holder holding means comprising jaw members adapted to receive the holder therebetween; a spring controlled ejector; and means operatively associated with the aw contact by a suitable wire I I tions means for members whereby the ejector element is held in retracted position.

3. In means of the character described, order-holder holding means comprising aw- .members'adapted to receive the holder therebetween, andejector means adapted to automatically eject the holder from the aws when the latter move toward open position.

4. Means of the character described comprising vertically disposed supporting means; order-holder holding means slidably mounted on the supporting means; means whereby the holding means are held at predetermined positions; and means whereby the holders are ejected from the holding means when pressure on the holders in a prearranged direction 15 exerted.

5. Means of the character described comprising vertically disposed supporting means;

order-holder holding means vertically slidable on the supporting means; means whereby the positions of the holding means may be controlled; and means for automatically ejecting the holders from the holding means when pressure on the holders in a given direction is exerted on the holders.

7. Means of the character described comprising a pair of tubular uprights; carriage members slidably mounted on the uprights and adapted to move in unison; order-holder holding means mounted on the carriage members and adapted to edgewisely receive the holders; ejector means associated with the holding means for automatically forcing the holders from the holding means when pressure on the holders is exerted in given direcyieldingly supporting the carriage and holding means; and means whereby the positions of the carriages with the holding means may be determined and the carriages may be locked in place.

8. Means of the character described comprising a pair of tubular uprights provided with pulleys at the upper ends; slidably mounted members disposed on opposite sides of the uprights; count-erweights slidable within the uprights and flexibly secured about the pulleys to said members; order-holder holding means secured to said members and involving spring controlled vertically movable jaws adapted to edgewisely receive the holders; spring controlled ejectors associated with the holding means; and means whereby the members with the holding means may be positioned on the uprights and locked in place.

relation one above the other and secured to the base member so as to permit vertical movement of the jaw members; means adjacent the outer ends of the jaw members for restricting the order holder receiving passage between the jaw members and whereby the latter are caused to move apart when pressure on the holder is applied in a direction lengthwise of the jaw members; means whereby the aw members are normally forced toward each other; ejector means associated with the jaw members for automatically forcing the holders from between the jaw members when pressure on the holders is exerted toward the outer ends of the jaw members; and means associated with the jaw members for retaining the ejector means in retracted position until the jaw members are caused to move in separating direction.

11. Means for holding the handle of a train order holder comprising a pair of jaw members arranged in spaced relation one above the other and adapted to move vertically, the outer ends of the jaw members having vertical portions disposed toward each other for restricting the order holder receiving passage and to cause the jaw members to separate when pressure on the holder is applied in a given direction; means whereby the j aw members are yieldingly held in closed position; a spring controlled ejector bar mounted between the jaw members and movable lengthwise of the jaw members; and means associated and movable with the jaw members for holding the ejector bar in retracted position until the jaw members move in separating direction.

WILEY L. WHITE. 

